The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-21

ton should these exercise in selecting as
sociates for the young men who voluntarily
place themselves temporarily under u
care? Would this be an important and
responsible duty? 1t certainly would be.
Is the character OF the book a man reads Of
less Importance than the character of the
men with whom he associates? Certainly
not. Books are not absolutely dead things,
but they contain a potency of life within
them to be us active as that soul was whose
progeny they IRE. A good book is the
precious life blood OF a master spirit en-
balmed and treasured up ON purpose to n
life beyond lie An evil book is the
cssencc OF in evil soul that may become a
lcayen OF evil TO permeatc and blight the
whole life OF the reader.
THE dividing line between the good and
the bad in Il library is perhaps as difficult
TO define as the dividing line between the
mountain and the sea, or as between the
day and the night. The mountain comes
down 10 meet the sea, and the sea rolls in
TO meet the mountain, and we know the
mountain and we know the sea, but no
man can say that here ends the mountain
and here begins the sea. SO the night
lets her sable curtains down and the
day blushingly ptires behind them, and
We are unable TO mark the point where the
day ended and where the night began,
but We instinctiycly know the light from
the darkness. So should il be with those
who select the books to be placed in our
libraries. They should be able to say,
this is good, and this is bad, and they
should never venture so near the line as TO
be in danger Of losing their way in the
twilight Of doubt.
There are more good books in the world
than any living human being can read,
though he should live TO the full number
OF his three-score and ten years, and give
his whole lie TO reading. Then why
recommend books OF doubtful character,
even speculate as TO the propriety of plac-
ing such before our readers? IL may he
that Others who have the direction OF libra
rics and reading-rooms can afford 10 as
snme the responsibilities that come from
venturing near the danger line, but We
cannot afford to do so. .
''Our iirst aim should be to supply the
means for Bible study, and this portion OF
u work should always predominant. After
this, We should seek TO obtain books most
useful TO young men who frequent our
rooms in the lines Of their business en-
Payments. Then we should add histories,
biographies, travels, poetry, and those
works OF fiction and general literature
which are not considered objectionable by
christian people. In addition othe respOn.
sibilitics upon us concerning the selection
of the books that 90 on our shelves, II is
our duty, rs an association, To place our
selves on record ms opposed 10 the per
nicious in literature outside Of our rooms.
We ane drifting 10 the sensational in lit
e%rature, and the young are being educated
in crime thereby. All the education in
crime which q boy might get from old and
hardened law-breakcrs within a prison cell
NAV he fully obtained for a nominal sum
at the news-stands which crowd the side
walks Of our cities.
THE day WIS when truthfulncsS, honesty
and obedience Ia parcnts were assumed Ia
he virtues. and the christian religion was
not wholly devoid Of merit, but in the vile
and pernicious literature Of the criminal
school nov being thrust upon the young,
the pleasures Of burglary n highway
robbery, the manliness of gambling and
fighting and the hcroism Of successful lying
are sct forth in what Is regarded 10y many
youthful readers rs glowing cloqucncc,
while the great truths that parents are
tyrants and religious people are hypocritcs,
aud that disObcdicnce TO fathers and teach
| en- is obedience to the noble instincts ol
juvenile nature, are sedulously taught.
While We, Of course, have no control over
the habits VI anyone outside Of M rooms,
this depression IL made believing that the
Young Mems Christian association oi
Tennessee is ready 10 put the seal OF It's
| condemnation on the pcrnicious in litcra'
ture, whether found at the news stand IN
\ the dirty columnsof the dailytha has been
prostituted 10 giving publicity 20 iniqui'
tous and debasing resorts, or to the indie
| rent posters that insult the refined tastes
Of all who dwell In our large cities, and "a
remind those in charge Of our reading
rooms that they should bo prepared "a
resist the demand for trashy, vapid fiction
/ that will be made upon them by those
whose tastes have been Initiated, and who
have weakly succumbcd 20 the immoral
| through outside influences.
let MS remember thatthc Test Of truth
Is not always in the multitude Of bclicy'
| crs.' and that IL IN Vol always best Ia sup
ply q book SIMPLY because there is q
| demand lOr H."
The next paper read was IN Financial
Management, How Made Successful.
The paper WIS prcparcdby VIM. Ferguson
Of Knoxville, and read by General Score
tary W. T.. Henderson, Of Knoxville. II
was a follows:
1--WE will suppose the financial year has
closed, and q new year Of work lies bcior
the association. Mistakes made in th'
past have taught their lessons, and mus
be- rctihed, and the president, planning
for the wear, with the helpOt the secretary
il carefully aud praycriully considering
who arr the right men to place on the VI
rious committees.
''Among the committees 10 be decide,
upon II the finance committee, and the!
wi.cly conclude that, for the coming year
il must be- formed out Of the best an
strongest men they hayc-mcn Of iouHol'
qualification. The Importance oi hayin
The strongest material Obtainablc for wotI
ON this committee cannotbo oycrcstimatcd
because q breakdown, or u want Of eff
cheney, may, and likely will, mean iailur
and disaster.
"Int MS consider then, first, what III
iour.fold qualification Is, and then the rci
sons why Il Is needed.
81. Men Oi faith and prayer.
80. The best and most active businc'
men in the association.
80. The best posted men In association
work.
~. Men OF tact and resource coumg
and pcrscrycmncc; earncstncSs and "a
thusiasm.
81. Men oi Faith and pmycr-Thc ma
who has faith Ia the promises 81 God, IN
, takes them, aud pleads them with God
PRAYER as he goes out soliciting subscriI
! lions. il the man who will succeed In III
, work. LET him realize that the work
/. the Lords. whose promise " 10 supply q
A.. our needs. and going forth, resting on III
/. pnomisr. there II not u rial need tll
/. will not be- supplied from Gods iullnrS
y Lei him further realize that the silver M
. a., ,,,Id mr.. thp Iarl's and that the hear